Roswell Park officials gather with federal, state and local leaders, including NY State Gov. Andrew Cuomo, to announce that the NCI has renewed the prestigious Cancer Center Support Grant to RPCI following an in-depth peer review by cancer experts from around the U.S.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has renewed the coveted and prestigious Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) to Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) following an in-depth peer review by cancer experts from around the United States.

The NCI rated Roswell Park’s application as “Outstanding.” The awarding of this noteworthy designation extends Roswell Park’s world-class status as an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center — the only one in Upstate New York, and one of only 41 in the entire United States. Roswell Park has held this distinction continuously for 40 years and the award carries with it a federal grant allocation of $19 million over the next five years.

The NCI reviewers’ assessment noted the “significant institutional commitment” that has placed the 116-year-old cancer center “on an upward trajectory” and that continued growth in jobs and research is expected following the recent recruitment of several “outstanding cancer investigators.” The expert panel of peer reviewers from other NCI-designated centers wrote: “Under the exemplary leadership of the Center Director and with the continued involvement of the outstanding and productive Senior Leaders and commitment of the Institution… this established Cancer Center is well positioned” to continue its contributions to the national mission to understand and eliminate cancer.

“Every successful organization draws stability from the diversity of its resources, and I think that’s something our reviewers responded to,” Dr. Trump added. “We could not have demonstrated our accomplishments or justified our ambitious plans for growth without the enormous commitment of our outstanding faculty and staff, the support of our community and the long-standing partnership with our leaders in New York State, notably Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders who have continued the absolutely critical investment in cancer research, patient care and cancer education. A singular example of the support RPCI receives from our community is the record-breaking $4.3 million raised by our 19th Ride For Roswell this past weekend.”

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26), along with other state and local leaders, joined Dr. Trump for Tuesday’s announcement at Roswell Park. The historic collaboration between New York State and Roswell Park dates back to 1898. Through this long-standing relationship, the campus facilities have been maintained and enhanced, scientists have been attracted from around the world to Buffalo, N.Y., and new diagnostics, treatments and therapies are being developed every day, such as next-generation genomic sequencing, which is part of Gov. Cuomo’s vision.

“I want to personally thank Governor Cuomo for his vision, his commitment and for being here today,” said Dr. Trump. “We at Roswell Park look forward to being part of producing the continued results that his vision has set forth in New York.”

“As one of Buffalo’s premiere medical institutions, Roswell Park is vital to Western New York’s status as a world-class health care destination – and as one of only 41 Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the entire nation, it is a beacon of hope for patients and families far beyond New York,” Governor Cuomo said. “I congratulate RPCI for regaining this important distinction, which is critical to continuing its cutting-edge research and high-quality patient care”

“Anyone who has walked through the doors of Roswell Park Cancer Institute knows that it is a special place, and this rating and designation confirms it,” said Congressman Higgins, a Roswell Park champion and staunch supporter of federal funding for cancer research. “Western New York is so fortunate to have one of the finest facilities providing cancer research and care right here in our backyard. Through this federal commitment we give Roswell the support to continue their mission, giving life and hope to not just those they serve but all faced with cancer.”

The CCSG recognizes that RPCI’s research programs meet the NCI’s rigorous criteria for world-class, state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary research. Renewal of the CCSG is a multi-step competitive process that involved submission in May 2013 of a 1,273-page grant application detailing the accomplishments of six key Roswell Park Cancer Institute research programs: Cell Stress and Biophysical Therapies, Experimental Therapeutics, Genetics, Genitourinary Cancers, Population Sciences and Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy.

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The mission of Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1898, RPCI is one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. The Institute is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or email askrpci@roswellpark.org. Follow Roswell Park on Facebook and Twitter.